Space Program: Mars by Tom Sachs (video)

If you are in NY, take a trip into space with artist Tom Sachs. "SPACE PROGRAM: MARS is a demonstration of all that is necessary for survival, scientific exploration, and colonization in extraterrestrial environs: from food delivery systems and entertainment to agriculture and human waste disposal. Sachs and his studio team of thirteen will man the installation, regularly demonstrating the myriad procedures, rituals, and tasks of their mission. The team will also "lift off" to Mars several times throughout their residency at the Armory, with real-time demonstrations playing out various narratives from take-off to landing, including planetary excursions, their first walk on the surface of Mars, collecting scientific samples, and photographing the surrounding landscape."

Here's a little preview to get you excited!

@ThePoke, Poking Fun @Social Media (video)

Here's some mid-week, mid-afternoon fun. Unfortunately, most of it is true...well, as honest as social media can be. Enjoy!

Kindly brought to you by The Poke and Adrants.

It's Officially BBQ Time...Do It In Style This Summer!

It's not all about Weber. Weber is great, but there are options for the more design conscious griller this year. Who needs a kitchen stove when it's sunny and 70˚F? Take it outdoors and enjoy the weather! Check out some of our favorite grills:

This is a colorful take on a classic grill by Walzer from MOM Design. 

This one is a bit more modern and again, it's all about color and sleekness. This is Puuur by barbecooke.

And last, this is the super grill with wok, hot plate, and doubles as an outdoor fire pit. It is aptly named OlympiQ since it resembles the Olympic torch. This is made by Safretti. 

So get out and start grilling in style!!!

Scratch & Sniff Garden Magazine Cover!

Who didn't love scratch & sniff stickers as a kid! Root beer and cherry were always a fave, and butter popcorn being really weird and kind of gross. Scratch & sniff is growing up with us now – in the form of magazine covers. What do you think this smells like?

Lavendar! Yes! "Immediate Media‘s monthly gardening magazine, Gardeners’ World, features an innovative scented lavender cover for its June issue to promote a garden aroma theme as part of its Springtime push for extra sales...An A5 bound-in insert card is also provided, with three scents produced by Antidote; tomato leaf, sweet violet and a mystery scent for the reader to guess." 

via PSFK

Happy Memorial Day!

(Photo: visuallee.com)

Did you know...Memorial Day

- was originally observed on May 30 until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971 

- it was originally known as Dedication Day

-  May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance 

- People were to "Decorate" the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion with flowers and flags

- it started with remmebering those who lost their lives during he Civil War and now, it is a day of remembering all fallen soldiers from every war fought

- in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, NY as the official bithplace of Memorial Day

- became a federal holiday in 1971

- observations of the holiday include visiting cemetaries, family gatherings, barbecues, parades, and flying the American flag

- it is also the unofficial start to the summer!!!

If you want to know more, visit History.com

MaKey MaKey - Type on a Banana? (video)

This is one of the coolest, nerdiest, I must-have, Kickstarter projects I have seen! The video does most of the explaination of what this is and how it works. Here's a nice cliché, "MIT students are brilliant!" Here's more on the two creative geniuses behind MaKey MaKey, Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum.  If you are feel like giving and supporting something really cool, hit up MaKey Makey at Kickstarter.

Some Things Are Better Not Shared...Wifi Blocking Wallpaper

Talk about being discreet and holding on to every signal power you can with this new Wifi Blocking Wallpaper. 

Developed by Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble (INP) in collaborated with Centre Technique du Papier, this wallpaper can block wifi signals being broadcast outside of the user’s vicinity. This can protect privacy, enhance security and ensure speed. How does it work? Well the paper is coated in conductive silver ink that can block particular electromagnetic wave frequencies.

For more, check out Springwise. 

The Future of Office Espresso: Textspresso (video)

Because when you need it, you need it now! The Textspresso allows you to text your espresso order directly to the espresso machine and it will be ready when you get there. The coolest part of the printing on the foam with edible ink! So is this the future of integrating our coffee jolt and texing? This just shows how existing technology that we already use on a daily basis is going to play a bigger role and lead the innovation for simplicity in our everyday lives. Why do we think "text-technology" will boom? We don't need things to be more complicated, we don't need more gadgets and we really don't want to have to learn new methods to get things done. Simply, texting is already a part of our lives; some even do it more than talking on the phone!

For more, check out Zipwhip.